EPL Matchweek 17 betting picks & top odds – Monday, December 26

After a month off for the FIFA World Cup, the English Premier League returns on Monday with a typically busy festive schedule. We are almost at the halfway point of the season and there is plenty still to play out at both ends of the table. Here are our best bets for the seven-game slate on Boxing Day.

Brentford vs Tottenham Hotspur

Harry Kane’s disappointing World Cup journey is over and it’s back to Tottenham for him. Considering his success with Spurs this year, he is probably quite excited to get on with it. Kane has 12 goals in 15 Premier League games this term and is the focal point of the Tottenham attack. While guys like Richarlison and Son Heung-min possess goalscoring ability, this team is centered around feeding Kane in dangerous areas. Brentford have a porous defense that has conceded 25 times in 15 matches. Spurs should create plenty of chances, and at +115 with Bovada, we like Harry Kane to capitalize on one of them.

Leicester City vs Newcastle United

These two teams were playing very well before the extended break, and we think they will pick up where they left off. Leicester are in 13th place with 17 points through 15 games and Newcastle are in third with 30 points through 15 games. While the Toon have been consistently better all season, Leicester have been hot and had won four of their five games heading into the break. Also, they only conceded one goal through those five games, and a once-terrible defense has become their strongest attribute. Leicester, at home, should be able to contain Newcastle’s attack, while the Magpies –who are tied with Arsenal for fewest goals conceded — should do the same to the Foxes. A 0-0 ‘nailbiter’ looks the most likely outcome.

Everton vs Wolverhampton Wanderers

This projects to be quite an ugly game. Everton, 17th, will host last-placed Wolves in what looks like a relegation battle. That all being said, the moneyline for this game makes no sense. While both teams are pretty awful, the home-field advantage should give Everton enough of a lift to prevail in this fixture. They have been respectable at home this season, and despite their poor stretch of form, they have won two of their past four games at Goodison Park. This bet’s value is made on Wolverhampton’s away form, however. They have yet to get a win away from home and only have two points from seven matches in away battles. Wolves just cannot stop beating themselves, so we will continue fading them.

Aston Villa vs Liverpool

Mohamed Salah is back on the pitch and he should continue dominating. While it’s unclear whether Liverpool will bounce back from their tough start, we have confidence that the Egyptian will be scoring. He did not feature in the World Cup, and that should set him up for a great second half of the season. While Liverpool’s defense is a little sketchy, they can still score a bunch of goals and create for their main man. He only has six goals in 14 Premier League matches, but against this Aston Villa defense, he should add to that tally. Take Salah to score in a game Liverpool should win comfortably.

Arsenal vs West Ham United

The break is over, and now it’s time for Arsenal to prove their legitimacy as title challengers. The first-placed Gunners have been on top all season, and while they have a talented team, there is still a lot of doubt about whether they can actually see this through. For this game, at least, we think they will. Arsenal have been unbelievable at home all season and haven’t dropped any points from their six games at Emirates Stadium. That shouldn’t change in this spot. West Ham have talent, but it’s nowhere near the level that Arsenal possess. Take the Gunners to win by a goal or more as they continue their impressive title challenge.

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